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Nine graduate from ICC's prestigious Leadership Development Institute

            Nine members of Itawamba Community College’s faculty and staff have graduated from its prestigious Leadership Development Institute.

            They include C.J. Adams of Fulton, assistant director of marketing; Terry Bland of Mooreville, financial aid director; Josh Gammill of Fulton, continuing education director; Adam Gore of Fulton, sports information and media relations director; Holly Gray of Fulton, library director; John Wayne Harris of Fulton, director of physical plant operations; Chris Stevenson of Fulton, dean of academic instruction; Dr. Dana Walker of Tupelo, Associate Degree Nursing program director; and Steven West of Mantachie, systems analyst and programmer.

            “The LDI was extremely beneficial and helped me broaden my vision for ICC, both as a college and our nursing program,” Dana Walker said. “The sessions on leadership styles from Dr. (Jay) Allen (ICC President) and others helped foster new ideas on how to use the college’s strategic plan and goals for decision making at my level. The LDI motivated me and made me feel connected to ICC and especially aware of how my decisions impact ICC and the community. Exposure to different leadership styles will make me a better program director.”

            Adams, who has been employed at ICC since 2018, earned the A.A.S. degree in computer servicing at ICC. He is the recipient of multiple awards from the College Public Relations Association of Mississippi, including a grand award in electronic media, and the Mississippi Press Association. He and his wife, Kristin, have two children.

            Bland’s educational background includes the bachelor’s degree from Union University and the master’s degree from Walden University. His leadership roles in organizations have included president of the Mississippi Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators and the Northern representative for Veterans Affairs Administrators of Mississippi. He has been employed at ICC since 2015. He is married to the former Jinnie Coleman, and together, they have five children and three grandsons.

            Gammill, who previously served as pathways coordinator, began his employment at ICC in 2015. He earned the bachelor’s degree from Mississippi State University and the master’s degree from the University of Mississippi. Gammill’s honors include president of the ICC Tupelo/Belden Faculty and Staff Association, successful completion of the DDI Leadership Facilitator Training and Gallup Strengths Coach Training and service on multiple ICC committees. He is a member of Bethel Baptist Church. Gammill and his wife, Sara, have three children.

            Gore, who began employment at ICC in 2010, previously served as assistant sports information director and interim director of community relations. His honors include Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal Top 40 under 40 (three times), ICC Meritorious Award and numerous CPRAM awards, including a grand award in electronic media.

            Gray’s educational background includes the associate’s degree from ICC, bachelor’s degree from Ole Miss, master’s degree in instructional technology from Mississippi State University and the master’s degree in library and information science from the University of Alabama. Her honors and memberships include Mississippi Library Association, MAGNOLIA steering committee and National Board-Certified Teacher. Before she began her ICC employment in 2016, Gray served as librarian for the Tupelo Public School district. She is Children’s Sunday School teacher at the Fulton United Methodist Church and troop leader for Itawamba Girl Scout Group 23159. Gray and her husband, Jim, have two children.

            Harris began employment at ICC in 2008 and has served as sound technician/housekeeper and energy systems manager. He earned the associate’s degree from ICC and the bachelor’s degree from Everglades University. Harris’s awards include Eagle Scout, recognition by Siemens Industry Building Technologies for completing their master operator curriculum, ICC Support Staff Employee of the Year in 2015 and Outstanding Administrative Professional Staff of the Year award in 2020.

            Stevenson has been employed at ICC since 2010, and he previously served as chair of the history department and subsequently, the Social Science Division. His educational background includes the associate’s degree from ICC, bachelor’s degree from Mississippi State University and the master’s degree from Ole Miss. Stevenson’s honors include William Winter Scholar and the John and Beth Cleveland Instructor of the Year award. He and his wife, Jessi, have two children.

Before employment at ICC in 2018, Walker was assistant professor and RN-BSN Coordinator at Mississippi University for Women, worked in various positions for the North Mississippi Medical Center for 21 years and was a nursing instructor at Northeast Mississippi Community College for six years. Her honors and memberships include Sigma Theta Tau, Top Nurse from the International Nurses Association, past president of the Mississippi Nurses Foundation Board of Trustees, Mississippi Nurses Foundation Leadership Institute participant, co-author of “Outcomes Management of an Ambulatory Clinic System Population: Experience with Patients with Diabetes.” Teaching Outstanding Performance (TOP award) from Northeast Mississippi Community College, and Quality Showcase Physician Office Award from the Diabetes Initiative for the North Mississippi Medical Center. She and her husband, Thomas, are the parents of two sons, have one daughter-in-law and three grandchildren.

West, who has been at ICC since 2011, previously served as information systems technology instructor. His educational background includes associate’s degrees in computer networking and computer programming. His honors include the 2021 Meritorious award winner and grand award for electronic media from the College Public Relations Association of Mississippi. He and his wife, Valerie, have three children.

“LDI opened my eyes to what leadership should be,” West said. “From sitting in a legislative session and eating a meal with legislators, to meeting leaders from other community colleges, to learning from our own president, this program allowed me an exclusive and rare glimpse into numerous leadership qualities. I could not have obtained my experience in any other way. I was inspired, enlightened and energized and am excited to use my new skills, not only professionally, but also at home and even in church.”

Administered by the President’s office, the LDI, which is a one-year program that seeks to promote leaders from within ICC’s family, includes selected courses as well as customized monthly workshops and seminars that include professional talks and interactive sessions while focusing on the impacts of the College on our communities, state and region.



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